Jerry Merrick: 15 Years of Service

This month, we want to recognize and honor a certain special employee. Jerry Merrick came to work at McLaughlin Motors in November of 1997 and for the last 15 years he has exhibited what it means to be a hardworking employee.

Jerry’s role at McLaughlin Motors is a Body Shop Technician. When he is not servicing and fixing your car, he is spending time with his family. He is happily married and will be celebrating a milestone anniversary with his wife in December – 15 years. He is the proud father of two children. His daughter just started kindergarten and his son just made the Quad City Hitmen Baseball team!

When asked about his favorite car on the McLaughlin Motors’ lot, Jerry quickly replied with, “the Subaru Legacy.” Why? He just purchased one earlier this year and it is perfect for him and his family.

Jerry explained that he has spent the last 15 years at McLaughlin because of the fact that, “they educate you on how to do a quality job every time as well as give you great resources to do so.”

We want to thank Jerry for his dedicated service and his commitment to McLaughlin Motors.

Car 2 Car Communication: Volvo Takes the Lead

Volvo has proved once again that they are one of the most innovative brands of safety in the market.

Their dedication to safety was reinforced earlier this month when they announced their preview of communicating cars and the progress that is being made. Communicating cars will have the technology to communicate information with other vehicles on the road. Volvo joined forces with Car 2 Car Communication Consortium, a group of automakers in Europe working on the technology that will enable communicating cars to exist on the road.

They predict that there will be a platform for Car 2 Car communication within the next five years. Their goal is to have a wireless network that will link together vehicles of any make or model and be able to exchange important information. Erik Israelsson, the Project Leader Cooperative ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) at Volvo Car Corporation remarked that, “In the future we will have advanced exchange of vital information between vehicles such as their position, speed and direction.” Israelsson also said that there is potential for this new technology to have the ability to improve more than just traffic safety but also, more uniform traffic flow and increased comfort for drivers in general.

Volvo revealed some of the remarkable features this new technology will have. One of the features is called, Green Light Optimum Speed Advisory. This will tell the driver the optimum speed for their car to maintain when passing through a series of green lights. Also, the days of anxiously guessing when the light will turn green will come to an end. With Car 2 Car communication, you will be able to know how much time is left before traffic lights turn green. Other features announced were the Motorcycle Approaching Indication and Emergency Vehicle Warning. The Motorcycle Approaching Indication will aid the most vulnerable road users, motorcyclists, by communicating to the driver the near proximity of one. The Emergency Vehicle Warning will make the driver aware of an emergency vehicle before the flashing lights and sirens so drivers are not taken by surprise and can safely create a passage.

“When the system is fitted into future cars it will be of considerable benefit to drivers and next-generation infrastructure, and will help improve traffic safety,” says Erik Israelsson.

The innovation of this technology will offer enormous benefits to all road users and will be a significant step in the improvement of traffic safety.  Volvo’s contribution in the Car 2 Car Communication Consortium reinforces them as leaders in the industry and as a brand that persistently looks out for the safety of all drivers.